Page 62 - Australian Defence Magazine October 2021

62 BATTLEFIELD AVIATION
OCTOBER 2021 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
ARMED RECONNAISSANCE HELICOPTER
Twenty-two Airbus Tiger ARHs were acquired by Army from 2004 and are today operated by 1 AVN at Robertson Barracks in Darwin and the Army Aviation Training Centre (AAvnTC) at Oakey.
The total of 29 helicopters allows for 24 Apaches to be based at a single location, initially at least Robertson Bar- racks, in two operational ARH squadrons, and five allocat- ed for training with the AAvnTC at Oakey. The program timeline calls for an Initial Operational Capability (IOC), represented by a troop of 12 helicopters, in 2026 and Final
Operational Capability (FOC) with all 29 Apaches two years later.
The AH-64Es will be fitted with a Link 16 Tactical Data Link and role specific equip- ment includes the Longbow LLC APG-78 Longbow fire control radar (16 units), Lock- heed Martin APR-48B Modernised Ra- dar Frequency Interferometer (MRFI) and Lockheed Martin ASQ-170 Modernised Target Acquisition Designation System/Pi- lot Night Vision Sensor (MTADS/PNVS).
Despite now performing very effectively in for which it was purchased, the Tiger has been the subject of a sustained campaign by unknown forces within Army and Govern- ment for many years to replace it.
In January then-Defence Minister Linda Reynolds announced that 29 Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters will be acquired via the FMS process from 2025 un- der Land 4503 Phase 1.
the ARH role
“Australia’s current Armed Reconnaissance
Helicopter, the Tiger, should remain a use-
ful armed reconnaissance capability that can
contribute to Defence requirements until its withdrawal from service in 2028,” commented a Defence spokesperson.
“These systems sense, detect and recog- nise and classify targets at a greater range than the current Tiger capability,” the Defence spokesperson said. “Addition- ally, the Apache has specific maritime modes for the fire control radar to enhance surface and air detection during
amphibious operations.”
Second Pass approval for Land 4503/1 is expected to oc-
cur in 2022 and Defence says it is working with the US Government and US and local defence industry to develop domestic support solutions.
“An initial Support Contract Request for Tender has been released to BDA to establish support for the introduction of the Apache into service,” the spokesperson added. “This will seek to maximise Australian industry opportunities, requiring BDA to deliver an Australian Industry Capability Plan as part of contract deliverables.”
In January, BDA announced it has signed a Memoran- dum of Understanding with NIOA to support the Apache’s cannon and ammunition system and, separately, Defence released an infrastructure RFT to industry in August for Managing Contract Services to support the capability.
Under ESTL4505PH1, the work will include infrastruc- ture and facilities work at Robertson Barracks and Robert- son Close Training Area and the construction of a Forward Arming and Refuelling Point (FARP) at Oakey.
LIGHT SPECIAL FORCES SUPPORT HELICOPTER
Sixteen Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) light and rap- idly-deployable helicopters are being acquired under Land 2097 Phase 4 (Light Special Forces Support Helicopter) to support Special Operations CT activities.
“The light helicopter will be in the four-tonne class and, by virtue of its size, it will be optimised for insertion and extraction of Special Forces teams within complex terrain, including dense urban environments, complementing the MRH 90 Taipan and enhancing the output of a combined helicopter formation,” the Defence spokesperson explained.
LEFT: An Australian Army MRH90 Taipan helicopter from the 5th Aviation Regiment takes off for a sortie during Vigilant Scimitar, Townsville Field Training Area in November 2020.
“INDIVIDUAL MRH 90 HELICOPTERS HAVE BEEN PROGRESSIVELY RETURNING TO FLIGHT STATUS SINCE MID-JULY 2021”
“Its withdrawal will be synchronised with the introduc- tion into service of its replacement, the AH-64E Apache.”
APACHE
On 15 January, then-Defence Minister Linda Reynolds an- nounced the selection of the AH-64E Apache Guardian as Army’s next armed reconnaissance helicopter from 2025.
“Defence considered a number of helicopters against key criteria of proven ability, maturity and an off-the-shelf op- erating system,” Reynolds said in a statement at the time.
“The Apache Guardian is the most lethal, most surviv- able and lowest risk option, meeting all of Defence’s ca- pability, through-life support, security and certification requirements. By pursuing a proven and low-risk system offered by the Apache, Defence will avoid the ongoing cost and schedule risk typically associated with develop- mental platforms.”
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